L.W. “Doc” Robertson
(1842 – 1911)
Chief - October 6, 1896 – March 10, 1897
(1842 – 1911)
Chief - October 6, 1896 – March 10, 1897
Lewis Winfield Robertson was born in Knox, Indiana. In 1864, at the age of 17, he joined Company B of the Indiana 26th Infantry of the Union Army. The 26th Infantry saw a lot of action during the war in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana as well as participating in the siege of Vicksburg and occupation duty in Texas. He mustered out in 1866 and went into the stock business. In 1872 he came to Oregon, starting a farm near Independence in Polk County. Three years later he opened a drug store in Independence and in 1879 added Justice of the Peace to his duties.
In the mid-1890s he moved to Portland, taking on several jobs, including real estate agent, gambler, speculator, and land agent. In 1896 during the stormy term of Mayor Sylvester Pennoyer, Chief John Minto was forced to resign because he didn’t support William Jennings Bryan for president. Lewis Robertson did support Bryan and was selected as the new Chief. Robinson had no prior police experience and found that he was over his head on the first day. The department now had 72 employees of which 50 were patrolmen. Pennoyer, who was known for his unpredictable and autocratic tendencies, liked to hire and fire officers. Every City Council meeting saw changes in police personnel. By Robertson’s fifth month in office it was clear that Pennoyer was preparing to name a new chief, so Robertson resigned.
Within days Robertson moved to Skagway, Alaska, presumably to look for gold. He soon returned to Portland and continued his varied career; working as a druggist, lobbyist, Democratic politician and a gambler. In 1911 he died of a heart attack at the age of 69; leaving behind four grown and married daughters.
In the mid-1890s he moved to Portland, taking on several jobs, including real estate agent, gambler, speculator, and land agent. In 1896 during the stormy term of Mayor Sylvester Pennoyer, Chief John Minto was forced to resign because he didn’t support William Jennings Bryan for president. Lewis Robertson did support Bryan and was selected as the new Chief. Robinson had no prior police experience and found that he was over his head on the first day. The department now had 72 employees of which 50 were patrolmen. Pennoyer, who was known for his unpredictable and autocratic tendencies, liked to hire and fire officers. Every City Council meeting saw changes in police personnel. By Robertson’s fifth month in office it was clear that Pennoyer was preparing to name a new chief, so Robertson resigned.
Within days Robertson moved to Skagway, Alaska, presumably to look for gold. He soon returned to Portland and continued his varied career; working as a druggist, lobbyist, Democratic politician and a gambler. In 1911 he died of a heart attack at the age of 69; leaving behind four grown and married daughters.